Eugene "Pete" D. Peterson

Eugene “Pete” D. Peterson, 73, of Garner, formerly of Crystal Lake, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in Rochester, MN.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2025, at Garner Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Clevey Ragsdale officiating.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, February 23rd at Garner Evangelical Free Church.

Eugene “Pete” Dean Peterson, born July 24, 1951, in Forest City, the son of Harold and Selma (Haugland) Peterson. After graduating from Forest City High School in 1969, he began his employment at Winnebago Industries, where he worked for 23 years until 1998. On July 20, 1973, Pete married Jane Sleper at Ramsey Reformed Church near Titonka. The couple made their home in Crystal Lake and shared 22 years of marriage. Following his tenure at Winnebago, Pete ventured into entrepreneurship by opening the Three B’s Grocery Store in Crystal Lake, which he managed for two years. He later contributed his skills to the sanitary crew and served as a security guard until retiring in 2013 at the age of 62. In retirement, Pete found joy in bartending and waiting tables at Mat’s Place in Garner.

Pete cherished spending time with his family and friends. His passions included playing cards, golfing with his grandchildren—whom he fondly described as “such good drivers on the carts”—and enjoying good-natured gambling. His leisure activities included taking naps, watching classic westerns, and passionately attending his grandchildren's sporting events while cheering for his favorite teams: the Green Bay Packers, GHV Cardinals, Forest City Indians, W-CL-T Tigers and West Hancock Eagles.

A dedicated community member, Pete was a member of the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church and served on the Crystal Lake Fire Department for 34 years.

Pete is survived by his former spouse and the mother of his three children, Jane Peterson of Garner; children, Brooke (Ryan) Hinders of Garner, Brandy (Randy) Huling of Sheffield, and Brett (Shelbey) Peterson of Garner; his grandchildren: Heston, Laingstin, Quinlynn, Boyden, Keanna, Keira, Keifer, Kemlin, Alexis, and Beckett; as well as his sister, Sandra (Jim) Brunsen of Britt; brother, Larry (Jeanie) Peterson of Garner; brother-in-law, Rob Curley of Webster City; and several nieces and nephews.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Colleen Curley; and great nephew, Connor.